

Hollywood’s Dolby Theatre is set to light up on April 26, as Francis Ford Coppola receives the 50th AFI Life Achievement Award, with none other than George Lucas and Steven Spielberg presenting the honor. The American Film Institute announced the star-studded event on April 22, celebrating Coppola’s towering legacy in cinema. Known for masterpieces like The Godfather, The Godfather Part II, and Apocalypse Now, Coppola’s work has shaped American film, and this tribute brings together a who’s-who of industry giants to salute him.
Lucas, who co-founded American Zoetrope with Coppola in 1969, and Spielberg, a fellow New Hollywood trailblazer, are fitting choices to hand over the award. “There is only one Francis Ford Coppola,” said AFI President and CEO Bob Gazzale, capturing the director’s singular impact. The gala will feature A-listers like Robert De Niro, Al Pacino, Harrison Ford, Morgan Freeman, Dustin Hoffman, Adam Driver, Spike Lee, Ron Howard, Diane Lane, Ralph Macchio, and C. Thomas Howell, plus Coppola’s family, Gia and Roman Coppola, adding a personal touch.
Coppola’s resume is a cinephile’s dream. His six Academy Awards, including the Irving G. Thalberg Memorial Award, reflect a career that spans Patton, American Graffiti, The Conversation, The Outsiders, and Bram Stoker’s Dracula. His latest, Megalopolis, a self-funded $120 million epic, premiered to a 10-minute ovation at Cannes in 2024, proving he’s still pushing boundaries at 86. “Francis is a peerless artist,” said Kathleen Kennedy, AFI Board of Trustees Chair, praising his influence on filmmakers and stars like Pacino, De Niro, and Ford, whom he mentored through Zoetrope.
Coppola gets 50th AFI Award from Lucas and Spielberg
The AFI Life Achievement Award, established in 1973, honors those whose work advances film art and endures over time. Coppola’s three films on AFI’s “100 Years…100 Movies” list cement his eligibility. Past recipients include Nicole Kidman, Denzel Washington, and Spielberg and Lucas themselves, making this a poetic moment for the trio who redefined modern cinema. The event, sponsored by Canva, will air as a TNT special, The 50th AFI Life Achievement Award: A Tribute to Francis Ford Coppola, with an encore on TCM, dates to be announced.
Despite a Razzie nod for Megalopolis, Coppola’s defiance-“I choose not to follow rules,” he posted on Instagram-mirrors his lifelong rebellion against convention. From launching Zoetrope to nurturing talents like Sofia Coppola and Matt Dillon, his impact is undeniable. With Lucas and Spielberg by his side, this gala promises to be a heartfelt nod to a visionary who’s still dreaming big.
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